Punjab Assembly
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly has approved a significant increase in the monthly salaries of Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs), provincial ministers, the speaker, the deputy speaker, parliamentary secretaries, and other government officials, on Monday.
The decision was made during the 19th session of the Punjab Assembly, which was chaired by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, introduced the bill that proposed a dramatic rise in the salaries of these political figures.
Despite some objections raised by opposition leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, the bill was passed by a majority vote in the assembly, clearing the way for the significant salary hikes.
The most notable salary increase was for the MPAs, whose monthly salaries have been increased by a remarkable 426%. Previously earning Rs76,000, an MPA’s salary will now be Rs400,000. Provincial ministers saw an even higher hike of 860%, with their salaries rising from Rs100,000 to Rs960,000.
The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly’s salary was also considerably increased, from Rs125,000 to Rs950,000, while the deputy speaker will now receive Rs775,000, up from the previous Rs120,000.
Other government officials also saw their pay boosted, with the parliamentary secretary’s salary rising from Rs83,000 to Rs451,000.
Similarly, special assistants and advisors will receive substantial pay raises, with their salaries increasing from Rs100,000 to Rs665,000 each.
This salary increase comes on the back of the approval of Punjab’s Rs5.4 trillion budget for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25, which was passed earlier in June. The budget includes reforms to taxes that had been in place for 70 years.
Under the new Finance Bill, commercial properties will be taxed at 0.07% of their total value, while properties valued between Rs10 million and Rs25 million will incur a tax of 0.08%. Those valued above Rs25 million will face a tax rate of 0.09%.
Additionally, vehicle registration fees have also been revised. The registration fee for motorcycles and scooters will be Rs1,500, with an additional 10% fee for registration transfers within 10 years.
For vehicles up to 1000cc, the registration fee is set at Rs20,000, with a 10% annual transfer fee. Vehicles between 1000cc and 2000cc will face a tax of 0.02% of their purchase price, while vehicles above 2000cc will incur a 0.03% tax.
These changes reflect the government’s focus on improving its financial situation while simultaneously increasing the compensation for its lawmakers and officials.
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